Author: Art Chartier

Morning Prayer: Friday 06 Nov 2020 – Psalms (106) and Proverbs (06) ~ Remember me and save me!

Morning Prayer, Friday, 06 Nov 2020

+ In the Name of the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Amen.

Opening:

Grant us, Lord, not to be anxious about earthly things, but to love things heavenly; and even now, as we live among things that are passing away, to hold fast to those that shall endure; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

Remember me, O LORD, according to the favor that you show to your people;
O visit me with your salvation…. We have sinned like our fathers;
we have done wrong and dealt wickedly.
(Psalm 106:4-6)

Preparation:

 Holy Spirit, breath of God and fire of love, I cannot pray without your aid: Kindle in me the fire of your love, and illumine me with your light; that with a steadfast will and holy thoughts I may approach the Father in spirit and in truth; through Jesus Christ my Lord, who reigns with you and the Father in eternal union. Amen.

__________

Psalm 106:1-5 Milton Scottish Metrical Psalter 1650 (Evangelical Presbyterian Church, Launceston, Tasmania)

1 Give praise and thanks unto the Lord, for bountiful is he;
His tender mercy doth endure unto eternity.

2 God’s mighty works who can express? or shew forth all his praise?
3 Blessed are they that judgment keep, and justly do always.

4 Remember me, Lord, with that love which thou to thine dost bear;
With thy salvation, O my God, to visit me draw near:

5 That I thy chosen’s good may see, and in their joy rejoice;
And may with thine inheritance triumph with cheerful voice.

__________

The New Cloverdale Psalter (2019 Update of 1535 Original) 

“Psalm 106”

1 O give thanks unto the LORD, for he is gracious, *
and his mercy endures for ever.
2 Who can express the mighty acts of the LORD, *
or show forth all his praise?
3 Blessed are those who act with justice, *
and who always do righteousness.

4 Remember me, O LORD, according to the favor that you show to your people; *
O visit me with your salvation,
5 That I may see the felicity of your chosen, *
and rejoice in the gladness of your people, and give thanks with your inheritance.

6 We have sinned like our fathers; *
we have done wrong and dealt wickedly.
7 Our fathers regarded not your wonders in Egypt, neither did they keep your great goodness in
remembrance, *
but were disobedient at the sea, even at the Red Sea.
8 Nevertheless, he saved them for his Name’s sake, *
that he might make his power known.
9 He rebuked the Red Sea, and it was dried up; *
so he led them through the deep as through a wilderness.
10 And he saved them from the adversary’s hand, *
and delivered them from the hand of the enemy.
11 As for those who troubled them, the waters overwhelmed them;*
there was not one of them left.
12 Then they believed his words *
and sang praises unto him.

13 But soon they forgot his works *
and would not wait for his counsel.
14 A craving came upon them in the wilderness, *
and they tempted God in the desert.
15 So he gave them their desire, *
and sent leanness into their soul.
16 They were envious of Moses also in the camp, *
and of Aaron the holy one of the LORD.
17 So the earth opened and swallowed up Dathan *
and covered the company of Abiram,
18 And fire was kindled in their company; *
the flame burnt up the ungodly.

19 They made a calf in Horeb *
and worshiped a molten image.
20 Thus they exchanged their glory *
for the image of a calf that feeds on hay.
21 And they forgot God their Savior, *
who had done great things in Egypt,
22 Wondrous works in the land of Ham, *
and fearful things by the Red Sea.
23 So he said he would have destroyed them, had not Moses his chosen stood before him in the gap *
to turn away his wrathful indignation, lest he should destroy them.

24 Then they scorned that pleasant land *
and gave no credence to his word,
25 But murmured in their tents *
and did not hearken to the voice of the LORD.
26 Then he lifted up his hand against them *
to overthrow them in the wilderness,
27 To cast out their seed among the nations, *
and to scatter them in all the lands.

28 They joined themselves to Baal-Peor *
and ate the offerings to the dead.
29 Thus they provoked him to anger with their wanton deeds, *
and the plague broke out among them.
30 Then Phineas stood up and interceded, *
and so the plague was ended;
31 And that was counted to him as righteousness *
among all generations for evermore.

32 They angered him also at the waters of strife, *
so that he punished Moses for their misdeeds;
33 For they provoked him to anger, *
so that he spoke rashly with his lips.

34 Neither did they destroy the peoples *
as the LORD commanded them,
35 But intermingled among the nations *
and learned their heathen ways,
36 So that they worshiped their idols, which became a snare to them; *
they offered their sons and their daughters to demons,
37 And shed innocent blood, even the blood of their sons and of their daughters, *
whom they offered to the idols of Canaan; and the land was defiled with blood.
38 Thus were they defiled by their own works *
and went whoring with their own deeds.

39 Therefore was the wrath of the LORD kindled against his people, *
and he abhorred his own inheritance,
40 And he gave them over into the hands of the nations, *
and those who hated them were lords over them.
41 Their enemies oppressed them *
and held them in subjection.
42 Many a time did he deliver them, *
but they rebelled against him through their own devices, and were brought down in their wickedness.
43 Nevertheless, when he saw their adversity, *
when he heard their lamentation,
44 He remembered his covenant and pitied them, according to the multitude of his mercies; *
he made all those who led them away captive to pity them.

45 Deliver us, O LORD our God, and gather us from among the nations, *
that we may give thanks to your holy Name and make our boast of your praise.

46 Blessed be the LORD God of Israel from everlasting and world without end, *
and let all the people say, “Amen.” Praise the LORD.

__________

Consider:

Remember me, O LORD, according to the favor that you show to your people;
O visit me with your salvation…. We have sinned like our fathers;
we have done wrong and dealt wickedly.
(Psalm 106:4-6)

Remember me and save me

  • Think of me with kindness, even as you think of your own elect. I cannot ask more, nor would I seek less. Treat me as the least of your saints are treated and I am content. It should be enough for us if we fare as the rest of the family.
  • This feeling would prevent our wishing to escape trial, persecution, and chastisement; these have fallen to the lot of saints, and why should we escape them?
  • If the Lord smiled upon their souls we cannot rest unless he smiles upon us also. We would dwell where they dwell, rejoice as they rejoice, sorrow as they sorrow, and in all things be for ever one with them in the favor of the Lord.

__ Spurgeon

We have sinned and done wrong

  • “We have sinned with our fathers.” Here begins a long and particular confession. Confession of sin is the readiest way to secure an answer to the prayer of verse 4; God visits with his salvation the soul which acknowledges its need of a Savior.

__ Spurgeon

_____

  • “Sinned; committed iniquity; done wickedly.” The Rabbis tell us that there are three kinds and degrees of sin here set down in an ascending scale; against one’s self, against one’s neighbor, against God; sins of ignorance, sins of conscious deliberation, sins of pride and wickedness.

__ Rabbi Levi and Genebrardus

Confession of our sins leads to the recognition of our need for a Savior.

Q: How have you sinned against yourself?

Q: How have you sinned against your neighbor?

Q: How have you sinned against God?

Q: How have you sinned out of ignorance?

Q: How have you sinned deliberately?

Q: How have you sinned through wrongful pride?

__________

Proverbs (06)  (Lessons for Daily Life)

12 What are worthless and wicked people like?
They are constant liars,
13 signaling their deceit with a wink of the eye,
a nudge of the foot, or the wiggle of fingers.
14 Their perverted hearts plot evil,
and they constantly stir up trouble.
15 But they will be destroyed suddenly,
broken in an instant beyond all hope of healing.

__________

Prayer

Gracious and Merciful God: We have sinned against you and one another; please forgive us and save us –

+ We have become an ungrateful and disobedient people, lacking purpose or direction….
LORD, have mercy!
+ We have forgotten your goodness and the wonders you have worked among us….
LORD, have mercy!
+ We have scorned the good land you gave us, and the people who preserved it…
LORD, have mercy!
+ We have depended on government handouts, instead of hard work and your provision….
LORD, have mercy!
+ We have defiled ourselves and our land with wanton immorality and sexual deviation….
LORD, have mercy!
+ We have slaughtered innocent children on the evil altar of abortion, instead of choosing life….
LORD, have mercy!
+ We have allowed lawlessness and violence to run rampant in our streets, abandoning lawful order….
LORD, have mercy!
+ We have knowingly rebelled against you, becoming a godless society without fear or reverence of you….
LORD, have mercy!

Gracious and Merciful God: Restrain your righteous anger and bring us to our knees in repentance; that we might turn to you and be saved – through faith in your Son Jesus Christ, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God forever. Amen.

__________

Banks of the Nile (Psalm 106) – Kiran Young Wimberly & The McGraths

___________

Blessing

May the peace of the Lord Christ go with you, wherever He may send you.
May He guide you through the wilderness, protect you through the storm.
May He bring you home rejoicing at the wonders He has shown you.
May He bring you home rejoicing once again into our doors.

__________

+ In the Name of the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Amen.

Morning Prayer: Thursday 05 Nov 2020 – Psalms (105) and Proverbs (05) ~ Seek the LORD and his strength!

Morning Prayer, Thursday, 05 Nov 2020

+ In the Name of the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Amen.

Opening:

Grant us, Lord, not to be anxious about earthly things, but to love things heavenly; and even now, as we live among things that are passing away, to hold fast to those that shall endure; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

“Let the hearts of those who seek the LORD rejoice.
Seek the LORD and his strength; seek his face evermore.”
(Psalm 105:3-4)

Preparation:

 Holy Spirit, breath of God and fire of love, I cannot pray without your aid: Kindle in me the fire of your love, and illumine me with your light; that with a steadfast will and holy thoughts I may approach the Father in spirit and in truth; through Jesus Christ my Lord, who reigns with you and the Father in eternal union. Amen.

__________

Psalm 105: Ian White

__________

The New Cloverdale Psalter (2019 Update of 1535 Original) 

“Psalm 105”

1 Give thanks unto the LORD and call upon his Name; *
tell the peoples what things he has done.
2 O let your songs be of him, and praise him, *
and let your speech be of all his wondrous works.
3 Rejoice in his holy Name; *
let the hearts of those who seek the LORD rejoice.
4 Seek the LORD and his strength; *
seek his face evermore.
5 Remember the marvelous works that he has done, *
his wonders, and the judgments of his mouth,
6 O seed of Abraham his servant, *
O children of Jacob his chosen.

7 He is the LORD our God; *
his judgments are in all the world.
8 He has always been mindful of his covenant, *
and the promise that he made to a thousand generations,
9 Even the covenant that he made with Abraham, *
and the oath that he swore to Isaac,
10 Which he appointed to Jacob for a law, *
and to Israel for an everlasting testament,
11 Saying, “To you will I give the land of Canaan *
to be the portion of your inheritance.”

12 When there were yet but a few of them, *
and they were strangers in the land,
13 And they wandered from nation to nation, *
and from one kingdom to another,
14 He allowed no one to do them wrong, *
but reproved even kings for their sakes:
15 “Do not touch my Anointed, *
and do my prophets no harm.”

16 Moreover, he called for a famine in the land *
and destroyed all the provision of bread.
17 But he had sent a man before them: *
Joseph, who was sold to be a bondservant,
18 Whose feet they hurt in the stocks; *
they put an iron collar around his neck.
19 Until the time came that his sayings were fulfilled, *
the word of the LORD tried him.
20 The king sent and delivered him; *
the ruler of the people let him go free.
21 He made him lord over his house, *
and ruler of all his possessions,
22 That he might instruct his princes according to his will *
and teach his elders wisdom.

23 Israel also came into Egypt, *
and Jacob was a stranger in the land of Ham.
24 And he increased his people exceedingly, *
and made them stronger than their enemies,
25 Whose heart he turned, so that they hated his people, *
and dealt deceitfully with his servants.

26 Then he sent Moses his servant, *
and Aaron whom he had chosen,
27 And they worked his signs among them, *
and wonders in the land of Ham.
28 He sent darkness, and it was dark; *
but they were not obedient to his word.
29 He turned their waters into blood *
and caused their fish to die.
30 Their land brought forth frogs, *
even in their kings’ chambers.
31 He spoke the word, and there came all manner of flies, *
and gnats in all their borders.
32 He gave them hailstones for rain, *
and flames of fire in their land.
33 He smote their vines also, and their fig trees, *
and destroyed the trees that were in their borders.
34 He spoke the word, and the grasshoppers came, and locusts innumerable, *
which ate up all the grass in their land and devoured the fruit of their ground.
35 He smote all the firstborn in their land, *
even the first-fruits of all their strength.
36 He brought forth Israel with silver and gold; *
in all their tribes there was not one who stumbled.

37 Egypt was glad at their departing, *
for they were afraid of them.
38 He spread out a cloud to be a covering, *
and fire to give light in the night season.
39 At their desire he brought quail, *
and he filled them with the bread of heaven.
40 He opened the rock, and the waters flowed out, *
so that rivers ran in the dry places.
41 For he remembered his holy promise *
and Abraham his servant.
42 And he brought forth his people with joy, *
and his chosen ones with gladness,
43 And gave them the lands of the nations, *
and they took the labors of the peoples in possession,
44 That they might keep his statutes *
and observe his laws.

Praise the LORD.

__________

Consider:

“Let the hearts of those who seek the LORD rejoice.
Seek the LORD and his strength; seek his face evermore.”
(Psalm 105:3-4)

  • The LORD is wholly glorious; every deed of his will bear the strictest scrutiny; his name is holy, his character is holy, his law is holy, his government is holy, his influence is holy.
  • To worship the Lord and seek his kingdom and righteousness is the sure way to happiness, indeed there is no other.
  • Put yourselves under his protection, and seek to know the power of his grace.
  • To seek his face is to desire his presence, his smile, his favor consciously enjoyed.

__ Spurgeon

The LORD is holy and all-powerful.

Q: How does seeking him apply to your current circumstances?

Q: Are you able to look beyond your current circumstances and rejoice in the LORD?

Q: Where do you need the LORD’s strength to sustain you now?

__________

Proverbs (05) (The wisdom of Solomon)

18 Let your wife be a fountain of blessing for you.
Rejoice in the wife of your youth.

21 For the Lord sees clearly what a man does,
examining every path he takes.
__________

Prayer

LORD God Almighty: you have given us this good land as our heritage.
We acknowledge and lament the many sins and offenses we have committed against you and one another.

+ We have forgotten your favor and turned away for your rule and reign in  our lives….
LORD, have mercy.

+ We have depended on government welfare instead of hard work to sustain us….
LORD, have mercy.

+ We have substituted revisionist history for our god-fearing origins….
LORD, have mercy.

+ We have denied the poorest among us a basic education and safe classrooms….
LORD, have mercy.

+ We have allowed immorality of every sort to become accepted behavior….
LORD, have mercy.

LORD God Almighty: we are reaping what we have sown. Violence, discord, confusion, lies, deceit, and pervasive evil infect our land; religious and racial tensions are exploited for personal and political gain; and our government is corrupt – there is no equal justice or peace in our land. We have provoked your righteous anger against us.

LORD have mercy, for the sake of your Son Jesus Christ: forgive us and renew this land, that we may serve you to the honor and glory of your Name; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

__________

Psalm 105 (Give Thanks) – Sean Dayton

___________

Blessing

May the peace of the Lord Christ go with you, wherever He may send you.
May He guide you through the wilderness, protect you through the storm.
May He bring you home rejoicing at the wonders He has shown you.
May He bring you home rejoicing once again into our doors.

__________

+ In the Name of the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Amen.

Morning Prayer: Wednesday 04 Nov 2020 – Psalms (104) and Proverbs (04) ~ Lord, send your renewing Spirit!

Morning Prayer, Wednesday, 04 Nov 2020

+ In the Name of the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Amen.

Opening:

Grant us, Lord, not to be anxious about earthly things, but to love things heavenly; and even now, as we live among things that are passing away, to hold fast to those that shall endure; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

“When you let your breath go forth, they shall be made,
and you shall renew the face of the earth.”
(Psalm 104:30)

Preparation:

 Holy Spirit, breath of God and fire of love, I cannot pray without your aid: Kindle in me the fire of your love, and illumine me with your light; that with a steadfast will and holy thoughts I may approach the Father in spirit and in truth; through Jesus Christ my Lord, who reigns with you and the Father in eternal union. Amen.

__________

Psalm 104 (Live) – Eddie Robinson · Mount Olive Fort Lauderdale

__________

The New Cloverdale Psalter (2019 Update of 1535 Original) 

“Psalm 104”

1 Praise the LORD, O my soul. *

O LORD my God, you have become exceedingly glorious; you are clothed with majesty and honor.
2 You clothe yourself with light as with a garment, *
and spread out the heavens like a curtain.
3 You lay the beams of your chambers in the waters, *
and make the clouds your chariot, and walk upon the wings of the wind.
4 You make winds your messengers, *
and flames of fire your ministers.

5 You laid the foundations of the earth, *
that it never should move at any time.
6 You cover it with the deep as with a garment; *
the waters stand above the hills.
7 At your rebuke they fled; *
at the voice of your thunder they hastened away.
8 They went up as high as the hills, and down to the valleys beneath, *
even to the place you had appointed for them.
9 You have set bounds for them which they shall not pass; *
neither shall they again cover the earth.

10 You send the springs into the rivers, *
which run among the hills.
11 All beasts of the field drink thereof, *
and the wild donkeys quench their thirst.
12 Beside them shall the birds of the air have their habitation *
and sing among the branches.
13 You water the hills from above; *
the earth is filled with the fruit of your works.
14 You bring forth grass for the cattle, *
and plants for the service of mankind,
15 That they may bring food out of the earth, and wine that makes glad the heart, *
and oil to make a cheerful countenance, and bread to strengthen the heart.
16 The trees of the LORD also are full of sap, *
even the cedars of Lebanon which he planted,
17 Wherein the birds make their nests, *
and the fir trees are a dwelling for the stork.
18 The high hills are a refuge for the wild goats, *
and so are the stony cliffs for the rock badgers.

19 You appointed the moon to mark the seasons, *
and the sun knows its going down.
20 You make darkness that it may be night, *
in which all the beasts of the forest move.
21 The lions, roaring after their prey, *
seek their meat from God.
22 The sun arises, and they go away together, *
and lay themselves down in their dens.
23 Man goes forth to his work, *
and to his labor until the evening.

24 O LORD, how manifold are your works; *
in wisdom you made them all; the earth is full of your creatures.
25 So is the great and wide sea also, *
in which are things creeping innumerable, creatures both small and great.
26 There go the ships, and there is that Leviathan, *
whom you made to take its pleasure therein.

27 These all wait upon you, *
that you may give them food in due season.
28 When you give it to them, they gather it, *
and when you open your hand, they are filled with good things.
29 When you hide your face, they are troubled; *
when you take away their breath, they die, and are turned again to their dust.
30 When you let your breath go forth, they shall be made, *
and you shall renew the face of the earth.

31 The glorious majesty of the LORD shall endure for ever; *
the LORD shall rejoice in his works.
32 He looks at the earth and it trembles; *
if he even touches the hills, they shall smoke.

33 I will sing unto the LORD as long as I live; *
I will praise my God while I have my being,
34 And so shall my words please him; *
my joy shall be in the LORD.
35 As for sinners, they shall perish from the earth, and the ungodly shall come to an end. *

Praise the LORD, O my soul.

Praise the LORD.

__________

Consider:

“When you let your breath go forth, they shall be made,
and you shall renew the face of the earth.”
(Psalm 104:30)

  • The works of the Lord are majestically simple, and are performed with royal ease—a breath creates, and its withdrawal destroys. If we read the word spirit, it is also instructive, for we see the Divine Spirit going forth to create life in nature even as we see him in the realms of grace.
  • At the flood the world was stripped of almost all life, yet how soon the power of God refilled the desolate places! In winter the earth falls into a sleep which makes her appear worn and old, but how readily does the Lord awaken her with the voice of spring, and make her put on anew the beauty of her youth. You, Lord, do all things, and let glory be unto your name.

__ Spurgeon

_____

  • Man alone amongst the creatures grieves God, and brought tears from the eyes of Christ, who rejoiced in Spirit, because the Father had deigned to reveal the mysteries to the little ones. God repented that he had made men, because as a wise son makes a glad father, so a foolish one is a vexation to him.

—Lorinus.

Consider the world around you, the immediate world in which you live day to day.

Q: Can you distinguish between those who are living wise and foolish lives? How?

Q: Can you distinguish between the wise and foolish thoughts, feelings, and actions in your own life?

Q: Where do you need God to send forth His renewing Spirit in your immediate world? …in your life?

__________

Proverbs (04) (The wisdom of Solomon)

1 My children, listen when your father corrects you.
Pay attention and learn good judgment,
2 for I am giving you good guidance.

23 Guard your heart above all else,
for it determines the course of your life.

24 Avoid all perverse talk;
stay away from corrupt speech.

25 Look straight ahead,
and fix your eyes on what lies before you.
26 Mark out a straight path for your feet;
stay on the safe path.
27 Don’t get sidetracked;
keep your feet from following evil.

__________

Prayer

+ Almighty God, who has given us this good land for our heritage: I pray that we may always prove ourselves a people mindful of your favor and glad to do your will. Bless our land with honorable industry, sound learning, and pure conduct. Save us from violence, discord, and confusion; from pride and arrogance, and from every evil way. Defend our liberties, and fashion into one united people the multitudes brought here from many kindreds and tongues. Endue with the spirit of wisdom those to whom, in your Name, we entrust the authority of government, that there may be justice and peace at home, and that, through obedience to your law, we may show forth your praise among the nations of the earth. In the time of prosperity, fill our hearts with thankfulness, and in the day of trouble, preserve our trust in you; all of which I ask through Jesus Christ my Lord. Amen.

+ Merciful God, you desire not the death of sinners, but rather that they should turn to you and live; and through your only Son you have revealed yourself as the God who pardons iniquity. Have mercy on the unrepentant and those who do not believe. Awaken in them, by your Word and Holy Spirit, a deep sense of their sinfulness and peril. Take from them all ignorance, hardness of heart, and contempt of your Word. Grant them to know and feel that there is no other Name under heaven given among men by which they must be saved, but only the Name of the Lord Jesus Christ. And so bring them home and number them among your children, that they may be yours for ever; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, world without end. Amen.

__________

Psalm 104: Lord, Send out Your Spirit – Ken Canedo

___________

Blessing

May the peace of the Lord Christ go with you, wherever He may send you.
May He guide you through the wilderness, protect you through the storm.
May He bring you home rejoicing at the wonders He has shown you.
May He bring you home rejoicing once again into our doors.

__________

+ In the Name of the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Amen.

Morning Prayer: Tuesday 03 Nov 2020 – Psalms (103) and Proverbs (03) ~ don’t forget God’s goodness to you

Morning Prayer, Tuesday, 03 Nov 2020

+ In the Name of the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Amen.

Opening:

Grant us, Lord, not to be anxious about earthly things, but to love things heavenly; and even now, as we live among things that are passing away, to hold fast to those that shall endure; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

“Praise the LORD, O my soul, and all that is within me, praise his holy Name.
Praise the LORD, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits…..”
(Psalm 103:1-2)

Preparation:

 Holy Spirit, breath of God and fire of love, I cannot pray without your aid: Kindle in me the fire of your love, and illumine me with your light; that with a steadfast will and holy thoughts I may approach the Father in spirit and in truth; through Jesus Christ my Lord, who reigns with you and the Father in eternal union. Amen.

__________

Psalm 103 – Jess Ray

__________

The New Cloverdale Psalter (2019 Update of 1535 Original) 

“Psalm 103”

1 Praise the LORD, O my soul, *
and all that is within me, praise his holy Name.
2 Praise the LORD, O my soul, *
and forget not all his benefits:
3 Who forgives all your sin *
and heals all your infirmities,
4 Who saves your life from the pit *
and crowns you with mercy and loving-kindness,
5 Who satisfies you with good things, *
renewing your youth like an eagle’s.

6 The LORD executes righteousness and judgment *
for all those who are oppressed with wrong.

7 He showed his ways to Moses, *
his works to the children of Israel.
8 The LORD is full of compassion and mercy, *
long-suffering and of great goodness.
9 He will not always chide us, *
neither will he keep his anger for ever.
10 He has not dealt with us according to our sins, *
nor rewarded us according to our wickedness.
11 For as the heavens are high above the earth, *
so great is his mercy also toward those who fear him.
12 As far as the east is from the west, *
so far has he set our sins from us.
13 As a father pities his own children, *
so is the LORD merciful to those who fear him.
14 For he knows whereof we are made; *
he remembers that we are but dust.
15 The days of man are as grass; *
he flourishes as a flower of the field.
16 For as soon as the wind goes over it, it is gone, *
and its place shall know it no more.
17 But the merciful goodness of the LORD endures for ever and ever upon those who fear him, *
and his righteousness upon children’s children,
18 Even upon those who keep his covenant *
and think upon his commandments to do them.

19 The LORD has prepared his throne in heaven, *
and his kingdom rules over all.

20 O praise the LORD, you angels of his, you that excel in strength, *
you that fulfill his commandment, and hearken unto the voice of his words.
21 O praise the LORD, all you his hosts, *
you servants of his that do his pleasure.

22 O speak good of the LORD, all you works of his, in all places of his dominion; *
praise the LORD, O my soul.

__________

Consider:

“Praise the LORD, O my soul, and all that is within me, praise his holy Name.
Praise the LORD, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits…..”
(Psalm 103:1-2)

 

“with all that is within me”

  • Many are our faculties, emotions, and capacities, but God has given them all to us, and they ought all to join in chorus to his praise.
  • If the law of justice demanded all our heart and soul and mind for the Creator, much more may the law of gratitude put in a comprehensive claim for the homage of our whole being to the God of grace.

__ Spurgeon

“forget not all his benefits”

  • Memory is very treacherous about the best things; by a strange perversity, engendered by the fall, it treasures up the refuse of the past and permits priceless treasures to lie neglected, it is tenacious of grievances and holds benefits all too loosely. It needs spurring to its duty, though that duty ought to be its delight.
  • Observe that he calls all that is within him to remember all the Lord’s benefits. For our task our energies should be suitably called out. God’s all cannot be praised with less than our all.

__ Spurgeon

Q: When you think about God’s goodness to you, what comes to mind?

Q: Re-read Psalm 93 – Which of these benefits have you personally experienced?

Q: Can you think of a time when you trusted God’s promises despite your circumstances?

Q: How did it work out for you?

__________

Proverbs (03) (The wisdom of Solomon)

5 Trust in the Lord with all your heart;
do not depend on your own understanding.
6 Seek his will in all you do,
and he will show you which path to take.

__________

Prayer

+ Almighty God, to you all hearts are open, all desires known, and from you no secrets are hid: Cleanse the thoughts of my heart by the inspiration of your Holy Spirit, that I may perfectly love you, and worthily magnify your holy Name; through Christ my Lord. Amen.

+ Almighty God, to whom we must account for all our powers and privileges: Guide and direct the minds of all those who vote today, to elect fit persons to serve this country. Grant that in the exercise of our choice we may promote your glory, and the welfare of this nation. This I ask for the sake of my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Amen.

+ Increase, O God, the spirit of neighborliness among us, that in peril we may uphold one another, in suffering tend to one another, and in homelessness, loneliness, or exile befriend one another. Grant us brave and enduring hearts that we may strengthen one another, until the disciplines and testing of these days are ended, and you again give peace in our time; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

__________

Psalm 103 – Bless the Lord – State-wide Youth Service @ Slavic Center Tacoma, WA

Blessing

May the peace of the Lord Christ go with you, wherever He may send you.
May He guide you through the wilderness, protect you through the storm.
May He bring you home rejoicing at the wonders He has shown you.
May He bring you home rejoicing once again into our doors.

__________

+ In the Name of the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Amen.

Morning Prayer: Monday 02 Nov 2020 – Psalms (101) and Proverbs (02) ~ sing of mercy and judgement

Morning Prayer, Monday, 02 Nov 2020

+ In the Name of the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Amen.

Opening:

Grant us, Lord, not to be anxious about earthly things, but to love things heavenly; and even now, as we live among things that are passing away, to hold fast to those that shall endure; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

“My song shall be of mercy and judgment; unto you, O LORD, will I sing.
O let me have understanding in the way of godliness.”
(Psalm 101:1-2)

Preparation:

 Holy Spirit, breath of God and fire of love, I cannot pray without your aid: Kindle in me the fire of your love, and illumine me with your light; that with a steadfast will and holy thoughts I may approach the Father in spirit and in truth; through Jesus Christ my Lord, who reigns with you and the Father in eternal union. Amen.

__________

Psalm 101 Song (I Will) – Jason Silver

__________

The New Cloverdale Psalter (2019 Update of 1535 Original) 

“Psalm 101”

1 My song shall be of mercy and judgment; *
unto you, O LORD, will I sing.
2 O let me have understanding *
in the way of godliness.
3 When will you come to me? *
I will walk in my house with integrity of heart.
4 I will set no wicked thing before my eyes; *
I hate the sins of unfaithfulness; no such thing shall cleave to me.
5 A crooked heart shall depart from me; *
I will not know a wicked person.
6 Whoever secretly slanders his neighbor, *
him will I destroy.
7 Whoever has a proud look and an arrogant heart, *
I will not suffer him.

8 My eyes shall look with favor upon the faithful in the land, *
that they may dwell with me.
9 Whoever leads a godly life, *
he shall be my servant.
10 No deceitful person shall dwell in my house; *
the one who tells lies shall not tarry in my sight.
11 I shall soon destroy all the ungodly who are in the land, *
that I may root out all evildoers from the city of the LORD.

__________

Consider:

“My song shall be of mercy and judgment; unto you, O LORD, will I sing.
O let me have understanding in the way of godliness.”
(Psalm 101:1-2)

sing of mercy and judgement

God’s dealings with us always include both “mercy and judgement” – for these we praise the Lord.

To sing of mercy must be a humble song, for mercy towards a miserable sinner is a melting word; and to sing of judgment must be a humble song, for judgment in every sense is an awful word…. “I will sing, I will sing;” I will sing on earth and I will sing in heaven; I will sing in time and I will sing in eternity.

__ Ralph Erskine.

practice godliness

Piety must begin at home. Our first duties are those within our own home.

It is easier for most men to walk with a perfect heart in the church, or even in the world, than in their own families. How many are as meek as lambs among others, when at home they are wasps or tigers.

—Adam Clarke.

Q: Do you consider yourself a God-fearing person? Does your home life reflect it?

Q: Where do you need wisdom to do what’s right at home?

__________

Proverbs (02) (The wisdom of Solomon)

2 Tune your ears to wisdom,
and concentrate on understanding.

5 Then you will understand what it means to fear the Lord,
and you will gain knowledge of God.
6 For the Lord grants wisdom!

9 Then you will understand what is right, just, and fair,
and you will find the right way to go.
10 For wisdom will enter your heart,
and knowledge will fill you with joy.

__________

Prayer

+ Almighty God, to you all hearts are open, all desires known, and from you no secrets are hid: Cleanse the thoughts of my heart by the inspiration of your Holy Spirit, that I may perfectly love you, and worthily magnify your holy Name; through Christ my Lord. Amen.

+ Almighty God, our heavenly Father, you set the solitary in families: I commend to your continual care my family. Remove from me every root of bitterness, the desire of vainglory, and the pride of life. Fill me with faith, virtue, knowledge, temperance, patience, and true godliness. Knit together my family, and give me the wisdom to do what’s right, that we may be joined to one another with bonds of loving-kindness; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

+ O God of peace, who has taught me that in returning and rest I shall be saved, in quietness and in confidence shall be my strength: By the might of your Spirit lift me, I pray, to your presence, where I may be still and know that you are God; through Jesus Christ my Lord. Amen.

____

Wisdom Song – Laura Woodley Osman

Blessing

May the peace of the Lord Christ go with you, wherever He may send you.
May He guide you through the wilderness, protect you through the storm.
May He bring you home rejoicing at the wonders He has shown you.
May He bring you home rejoicing once again into our doors.

__________

+ In the Name of the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Amen.